# dumbtv in the press

dumbtv launched on 19 October 2026 with [a post on X](https://x.com/DevMuzzammil/status/2111912547318395338)
that followed [the one before it](https://x.com/DevMuzzammil/status/2111595814099591535).
Within days it was covered in more than 100 articles across about 25 countries.

**Highlights:** [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/19/people-are-using-ai-to-make-their-smart-tvs-dumb-again/) ·
[TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/entertainment/streaming/your-tv-should-do-what-you-paid-for-people-are-vibe-coding-apps-to-banish-ads-from-their-smart-tvs-and-android-tv-and-its-catching-on) ·
[Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/people-are-using-ai-to-turn-their-smart-tvs-into-dumb-tvs-and-you-might-want-to-do-the-same) ·
[Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/people-using-ai-to-make-smart-tvs-dumb-again-is-the-most-2026-thing-ever-2000828213) ·
[XDA Developers](https://www.xda-developers.com/people-are-now-vibe-coding-their-smart-tvs-to-strip-them-of-ads-and-unwanted-features/) ·
[It's FOSS](https://itsfoss.com/news/debloat-smart-tv/) ·
[Xataka](https://www.xataka.com/televisores/ultima-sensacion-viral-ia-eliminar-anuncios-bloatware-smart-tv-he-tontificado-mi-chromecast-maravilloso) ·
[iXBT](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/10/20/poleznyi-vaibkoding-deepseek-i-claude-sdelali-prilozeniia-kotorye-ubiraiut-s-televizorov-reklamu-i-nenuznye-prilozeniia.html) ·
[GIGAZINE](https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20261020-smart-tv-no-ads-tool/) ·
[Sina Finance](https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/digi/2026-10-20/doc-inivwyqy0896637.shtml) ·
[CHIP Türkiye](https://www.chip.com.tr/guncel/yapay-zekaya-bu-kez-ters-gorev-televizyondaki-reklam-fazlaliklarini-kaldir_184766.html)

## English

- [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/19/people-are-using-ai-to-make-their-smart-tvs-dumb-again/): People are using AI to make their smart TVs dumb again
- [TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/entertainment/streaming/your-tv-should-do-what-you-paid-for-people-are-vibe-coding-apps-to-banish-ads-from-their-smart-tvs-and-android-tv-and-its-catching-on): "Your TV should do what you paid for" ([Yahoo](https://tech.yahoo.com/home-entertainment/tvs/articles/tv-paid-people-sick-ads-223000305.html))
- [Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/people-are-using-ai-to-turn-their-smart-tvs-into-dumb-tvs-and-you-might-want-to-do-the-same)
- [Gizmodo](https://gizmodo.com/people-using-ai-to-make-smart-tvs-dumb-again-is-the-most-2026-thing-ever-2000828213)
- [XDA Developers](https://www.xda-developers.com/people-are-now-vibe-coding-their-smart-tvs-to-strip-them-of-ads-and-unwanted-features/)
- [Decrypt](https://decrypt.co/381456/vibe-coding-ads-out-smart-tvs-heres-how)
- [Yahoo Tech](https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/article/sick-of-seeing-ads-and-clutter-on-your-smart-tv-the-internet-says-ai-can-fix-that-181417392.html)
- [It's FOSS](https://itsfoss.com/news/debloat-smart-tv/)
- [GovTech](https://www.govtech.com/question-of-the-day/are-people-using-ai-to-dumb-down-their-smart-tvs)
- [Gadget Review](https://www.gadgetreview.com/developers-are-using-ai-to-strip-ads-and-tracking-from-smart-tvs)
- [FlatpanelsHD](https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1792478262)
- [Shelly Palmer](https://shellypalmer.com/2026/10/making-smart-tvs-dumb-again/)
- [SiliconSnark](https://www.siliconsnark.com/dumbtv-lets-an-ai-agent-evict-the-ads-from-your-television/): a review of dumbtv, "a convincing niche hit"
- [tbreak](https://tbreak.com/debloat-smart-tv-ai-dumbtv-cleanyourtv/) (UAE)
- [The Daily Star](https://www.thedailystar.net/news/technology/news/smart-tv-owners-are-using-ai-get-rid-ads-report-4303291) (Bangladesh)
- [ProPakistani](https://propakistani.pk/2026/10/21/people-are-using-ai-to-make-smart-tvs-faster-safer-and-ad-free/) (Pakistan)
- [Vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/en/dung-claude-de-giai-cuu-ti-vi-cu) (Vietnam)
- [Nyongesa Sande](https://www.nyongesasande.com/ai-smart-tv-hacks-remove-ads-and-simplify-home-screens/) (Kenya)
- [Mezha](https://mezha.ua/en/news/from-smartv-to-dumbtv-316344/) (Ukraine)
- [Mediasat](https://mediasat.info/en/2026/10/20/smart-tv-owners-turn-to-claude-code-to-remove-ads/)
- [Blockonomi](https://blockonomi.com/smart-tv-owners-use-claude-code-to-remove-ads-and-tracking-software)
- [Nelson Lee](https://nelsonxlee.substack.com/p/how-to-hack-your-tv-with-claude-code): a step-by-step dumbtv guide
- [Ground News](https://ground.news/article/people-are-using-ai-to-make-their-smart-tvs-dumb-again),
  [Silicon Report](https://www.siliconreport.com/developers-share-ai-solutions-to-strip-ads-from-smart-tvs),
  [AI Weekly](https://aiweekly.co/alerts/developers-use-claude-code-to-make-smart-tvs-dumb-again),
  [daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/people-are-using-ai-to-make-their-smart-tvs-dumb-again-w4vznkz9w),
  [Clauding.de](https://clauding.de/en/posts/smart-tv-entruempeln-claude-code/),
  [AI Parabellum](https://aiparabellum.com/claude-code-smart-tv-debloat/),
  [Progressive Robot](https://www.progressiverobot.com/2026/10/19/ai-smart-tv-debloating-remove-ads-bloatware/),
  [LAVX](https://news.lavx.hu/article/ai-tools-help-users-strip-ads-and-bloat-from-smart-tvs),
  [PoweredByAI](https://poweredbyai.app/ai-news/people-are-using-ai-to-make-their-smart-tvs-dumb-again)

## Spanish

- [Xataka](https://www.xataka.com/televisores/ultima-sensacion-viral-ia-eliminar-anuncios-bloatware-smart-tv-he-tontificado-mi-chromecast-maravilloso) (Spain)
- [Ecosistema Startup](https://ecosistemastartup.com/dumbtv-el-hack-con-ia-que-elimina-los-anuncios-del-tv/)
- [ENTER.CO](https://www.enter.co/chips-bits/como-volver-tonto-smart-tv-ia-anuncios/) (Colombia)
- [Cadena 3](https://www.cadena3.com/noticia/tecnologia/el-auge-de-los-hacks-de-ia-para-convertir-televisores-inteligentes-en-modelos-simples_604870) (Argentina)
- [DiarioBitcoin](https://www.diariobitcoin.com/tecnologia/usuarios-usan-ia-para-quitar-anuncios-y-bloatware-de-sus-televisores-inteligentes/),
  [Las Noticias de la IA](https://lasnoticiasdelaia.com/desarrolladores-utilizan-inteligencia-artificial-para-simplificar-televisores-inteligentes/),
  [Qore](https://www.qore.com/tecnologia/desarrolladores-usan-ia-para-quitar-anuncios-de-smart-tvs/)

## Portuguese

- [Showmetech](https://www.showmetech.com.br/ia-remover-anuncios-smart-tvs-vibe-coding/) (Brazil)
- [Mixvale](https://www.mixvale.com.br/2026/10/21/usuarios-usam-o-agente-de-ia-claude-code-para-limpar-smart-tvs/),
  [Boa Informação](https://boainformacao.com.br/2026/10/as-pessoas-estao-usando-ia-para-tornar-suas-smart-tvs-burras-novamente/),
  [TechDescomplicado](https://techdescomplicado.com.br/como-tirar-anuncios-da-tv/),
  [Antihype](https://antihype.com.br/c/ia/agentes-ia-removem-anuncios-smart-tv/)
- [TugaTech](https://tugatech.com.pt/t92999-utilizadores-estao-a-usar-ia-para-tornar-as-suas-smart-tvs-mais-estupidas-e-remover-publicidade),
  [Techbit](https://techbit.pt/fartou-anuncios-tv-pais-pediu-claude-code-limpar/) (Portugal)

## French

- [Developpez.com](https://intelligence-artificielle.developpez.com/actu/388278/Les-developpeurs-utilisent-Claude-Code-ou-DeepSeek-AI-pour-supprimer-les-publicites-et-le-suivi-sur-les-televiseurs-connectes-l-IA-devenant-si-puissante-que-les-utilisateurs-prennent-les-choses-en-main/)
- [BriefIA](https://www.briefia.fr/article/ia-contre-pubs-des-hacks-allegent-les-smart-tvs),
  [CharlesTech](https://charlestech.fr/tv-etait-intelligente-ils-utilisent-l-ia-rendre-bete)

## German

- [WinFuture](https://winfuture.de/news,162070.html)
- [IT Boltwise](https://www.it-boltwise.de/ki-entruempelt-smart-tvs-tools-fuer-werbefreiheit-und-weniger-daten.html),
  [4K Filme](https://www.4kfilme.de/nutzer-befreit-smart-tv-mit-ki-von-werbund-und-wird-gefeiert/)

## Italian

- [Smartworld](https://www.smartworld.it/news/smart-tv-senza-pubblicita-tracciamento-script-ai-adb.html),
  [Macitynet](https://www.macitynet.it/rendere-le-tv-meno-smart/),
  [TechPrincess](https://techprincess.it/smart-tv-ai-rimuovere-pubblicita-app-inutili/),
  [TecnoAndroid](https://www.tecnoandroid.it/news/smart-tv-senza-pubblicita-claude-code-elimina-il-bloatware-1998676/),
  [XiaomiToday](https://www.xiaomitoday.it/script-ai-smart-tv-pubblicita.html),
  [La Redazione](https://www.laredazione.eu/smart-tv-senza-pubblicita-e-tracciamento-lintelligenza-artificiale-permette-di-eliminare-le-funzioni-indesiderate/)

## Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian

- [iXBT](https://www.ixbt.com/news/2026/10/20/poleznyi-vaibkoding-deepseek-i-claude-sdelali-prilozeniia-kotorye-ubiraiut-s-televizorov-reklamu-i-nenuznye-prilozeniia.html) (Russia)
- [Onliner](https://tech.onliner.by/2026/10/20/kak-uluchshit-televizor-s-pomoshhyu-ii) (Belarus)
- [UNIAN](https://www.unian.net/techno/neiroseti/v-seti-novyy-trend-polzovateli-prevrashchayut-svoi-umnye-televizory-v-obychnye-13534713.html) (Ukraine)
- [Hightech.plus](https://hightech.plus/2026/10/20/vladelci-umnih-televizorov-s-pomoshyu-claude-izbavlyayutsya-ot-reklami-i-slezhki),
  [kod.ru](https://kod.ru/people-are-using-ai-smart-tvs-dumb),
  [Playground.ru](https://www.playground.ru/misc/news/entuziasty_nachali_ispolzovat_ii_dlya_ochistki_televizorov_ot_vstroennoj_reklamy_i_zamedlyayuschego_softa-1883066),
  [Runet](https://runet.news/news/84747),
  [Mezha](https://mezha.ua/news/from-smartv-to-dumbtv-316344/)

## Central and Eastern Europe

- [GRYOnline](https://www.gry-online.pl/newsroom/telewizor-powinien-robic-to-za-co-zaplaciles-ai-pomaga-ludziom-us/zc32016),
  [PurePC](https://www.purepc.pl/ai-claude-code-smart-tv-reklamy-acr-cleanyourtv-dumbtv) (Poland)
- [Kurir](https://www.kurir.rs/techvision/saveti/10139632/reklame-na-pametnim-televizorima-kako-ih-ukloniti-uz-ai) (Serbia)
- [Živě.cz](https://avmania.zive.cz/udelejme-chytre-televize-zase-hloupejsi) (Czechia)
- [Gamesite.sk](https://gamesite.zoznam.sk/zmenili-vas-televizor-na-reklamnu-plochu-vyvojari-si-vdaka-ai-pripravili-nastroje-ktore-tomu-zabrania/) (Slovakia)
- [AI Forradalom](https://aiforradalom.hu/alkalmazasok/ai-ugynokok-tisztitjak-meg-a-teveket-a-reklamoktol-es-a-felesleges-szoftverektol) (Hungary)
- [Playtech.ro](https://playtech.ro/2026/oamenii-folosesc-inteligenta-artificiala-ca-sa-scape-de-reclamele-de-pe-smart-tv-claude-code-poate-transforma-un-televizor-lent-intr-unul-mult-mai-rapid/) (Romania)

## Greek and Turkish

- [Insomnia.gr](https://www.insomnia.gr/articles/entertainment/tv/me-ti-voitheia-tis-ai-oi-xristes-kanoun-ksana-xazes-tis-eksypnes-tileoraseis-tous/),
  [MyPhone.gr](https://myphone.gr/xrhstes-xrhsimopoioyn-ai-gia-na-kanoun-tis-smart-tvs-xazes/),
  [Techmaniacs](https://techmaniacs.gr/smart-tv-pos-afairoun-diafimiseis-kai-bloatware-me-tin-ai/)
- [CHIP Online Türkiye](https://www.chip.com.tr/guncel/yapay-zekaya-bu-kez-ters-gorev-televizyondaki-reklam-fazlaliklarini-kaldir_184766.html)

## Arabic

- [3arrafni](https://3arrafni.com/tech-news/ai-tools-remove-smart-tv-ads-tracking),
  [TechVoice Arabia](https://techvoicearabia.com/claude-code-smart-tv-ads-tracking-clean-your-tv/)

## Chinese and Japanese

- IT之家, syndicated by [Sina Finance](https://finance.sina.com.cn/tech/digi/2026-10-20/doc-inivwyqy0896637.shtml),
  [NetEase](https://www.163.com/dy/article/L9NHKE8N0511B8LM.html) and
  [iFeng](https://tech.ifeng.com/c/8xNzUAQZMqQ)
- [Yam](https://n.yam.com/Article/20261020173220) (Taiwan)
- [GIGAZINE](https://gigazine.net/gsc_news/en/20261020-smart-tv-no-ads-tool/) (Japan)

## On X

- [Linus Ekenstam's thread](https://x.com/LinusEkenstam/status/2112459972088844700) on vibe-coding your TV

Wrote about dumbtv? Open an issue or a pull request to add it here.